Bear Grylls out to destroy the dream stealers

Bear Grylls has achieved superhuman feats but is still mainly known for drinking his own urine on Man vs Wild. Hayden Donnell talks to the TV adventurer ahead of his live show in Auckland about survival, dangerous New Zealand terrain and inspiring people to defy the "dream stealers".

Bear Grylls in action for Man vs Wild. Photo/AP

Bear Grylls broke his back in a free-fall parachuting accident in Zambia and celebrated finishing an 18 month stint in rehabilitation by spending 90 days clambouring up Mt Everest.

Still, everyone who talks to the Man vs Wild star only wants to know one thing: "What does it taste like to drink your own pee?"

Grylls refuses to be offended.

"My ego is not that big. I'm very grateful for people who watch the show. It's about encouraging people and helping them to survive and overcome their fears."

Grylls says the ultimate goal of his live performance is to inspire audiences to start pursuing their dreams.

His show will feature unarmed combat, swinging from rooftops and "a bit of live bug eating".

"I want it to be life affirming and inspiring," he says. "You've only got one life. Grab it with both hands and don't listen to the dream stealers who want to pull you down."

Grylls has never listened to naysayers, opting instead to seize life like the tiger shark he once leapt onto from an inflatable boat.

He has survived everything from the Sahara Desert to Antarctica, led an Arctic expedition in an open top boat and recently became the youngest ever Chief Scout.

After that, you would think New Zealand would be bit humdrum for him with its fat flightless birds and moderate climate.

But he says this country has one of the toughest environments to survive and its survival food - in his case a live weta - is the most disgusting.

"You have some of the hardest terrain on the planet. I think New Zealanders don't necessarily know just how dangerous and unpredictable and unforgiving some of the terrain can be. It's not only quakes you should worry about, you can go from normal terrain and end up falling and burning alive in volcanic spring water."

What: Bear Grylls live on stage with Rhys Darby.Where: TSB Bank Arena, Wellington and Vector Arena, Auckland.When: November 30 and December 2.Also: There's a live chat with the MC of Grylls' show, Rhys Darby on nzherald.co.nz at 11am today.